Red Bull is once again facing questions about their second seat alongside Max Verstappen. Since the departure of Sergio Perez at the end of 2024, the team have turned to Liam Lawson and then Yuki Tsunoda, but neither has been able to deliver the consistency that the Milton Keynes-based squad expects.

Verstappen continues to show great results despite the difficult RB21, yet his teammates have struggled to match him, and it now seems increasingly likely that Red Bull will look for a new partner for the Dutchman in 2026.

One of the more surprising names to emerge is Alex Palou. The Spaniard has just celebrated his third consecutive IndyCar championship, his fourth title overall, and earlier this year he also won the famous Indianapolis 500. Despite recently saying that Formula 1 was no longer part of his plans, reports from American IndyStar suggest that Red Bull are considering making an approach. To make it happen, they would need to pay a release clause to free him from his current deal with Chip Ganassi Racing.

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Palou already has a small taste of Formula 1, having driven for McLaren during Friday practice in Austin in 2021. He was once expected to join McLaren’s IndyCar line-up, although that move collapsed and led to a lengthy legal battle. More recently, Williams admitted that Palou had been on their shortlist for a seat alongside Alex Albon, before they chose his fellow Spaniard Carlos Sainz instead.

Unlike many IndyCar drivers, Palou would not face difficulties with the FIA Super Licence, since his recent run of titles already gives him the points he needs. He would still require time to adapt, but the arrival of new F1 regulations next year means that every driver will be adjusting to fresh machinery. His popularity in the United States would also appeal to Red Bull and engine partner Ford, who are keen to strengthen their presence in that market.

For the moment this remains speculation, but Red Bull’s continuing struggle to find the right teammate for Verstappen makes Palou’s name one to watch.